REI Unleashes Highly Sustainable Omni-channel Distribution Center
REI recently put to work a brand new and incredibly innovative distribution center located in Goodyear, AZ. The mind-blowing thing? The 393,000 square-foot building has a Net Zero Energy designation.
On top of the dedication to sustainable supply chain, the order fulfillment process is utilizing a reworked system, dubbed ‘one-touch production’, where goods are touched just one to fill order, the system being otherwise automated. This is done through a mini-load shuttle system, pocket sortation technology, and a warehouse layout that is both efficient and sustainable. You can see the full warehouse layout here. They’re achieving (on average) 6 second pick and put combinations.
So how did REI come up with this incredible system? It started like many other DC projects: a network design study. They wanted to be able to meet same-day and two-day service levels for the Southwest region. Because REI has a commitment to the environment, they wanted to leverage ground services to protect their carbon footprint. However, they didn’t stop there. Once they picked the Phoenix area location, the building has to satisfy four design needs, including:
- Connect to the REI brand
- Build REI culture and values
- Give back to the community through stewardship
- Build to the highest current standard of sustainability
The goal was to achieve LEED Platinum certification while still delivering large ROI. They didn’t want to be seen as “tree huggers with no business outcomes” They wanted to show that you can be highly sustainable while still turning a profit.
W&H Systems (now part of DMW&H) had previously designed the Pennsylvania REI facility and gladly took on the challenge to create an innovative omni-channel distribution center that was highly sustainable and met all four of the design parameters. They searched technologies all over the world and discovered products from Knapp Logistics that could be combined to create the system currently in place at the Goodyear facility. It took several design proposals, but they found the unique perspective the created this amazing DC.
You can read more about the project here.
REI will be presenting at ProMat 2017 in our new Sustainability Theater in the expanded north hall of McCormick place. ProMat 2017 will include over 850 exhibits from leading solution providers covering 350,000 square feet and two show floors. ProMat exhibits will represent all segments of the material handling and logistics industry, from traditional, manual equipment to computerized, automated systems and software.
Complete information on ProMat, including complimentary show and educational session registration, can be found online at ProMatShow.com.
